Kahok Sports Report
By Mark Jurgena
The fall season has begun with several Collinsville High School athletic teams starting their competitive seasons in the past couple of weeks.
Let’s take a look at how some have fared in their early season.
Boys Soccer
The Kahoks opened with a 3-0 loss to Columbia on Aug. 26.
“Monday night against Columbia was not our best performance,” said Kahok coach Rob Lugge. “We started the game well, but gave up an early goal just a few minutes in and then conceded a penalty shortly after. From there, we struggled to get back into the match and eventually fell to a very strong Columbia team.”
They turned things around in their home opener the next night against Triad. Collinsville and the Knights battled to a 3-3 draw at Kahok Stadium.
“Last night, we bounced back with a hard-fought draw against rival Triad,” said Lugge. “It was a true battle, and earning that result after Monday’s setback was a positive step. We made some important adjustments and were able to create chances and finish opportunities.”
For Collinsville, Mikey Suarez, Ty Starko and TJ Carter picked up the goals while Suarez added a pair of assists. Rodrigo Hernandez had the other.
“Through these first two games, we’ve gained a clearer picture of both our strengths and the areas that need improvement,” Lugge said. “If we continue to make the right adjustments, we put ourselves in a good position to have a successful stretch in the weeks ahead.”
Boys Golf
Collinsville took part in the Alton Invitational on Aug. 26 and brought home a 10th-place finish.
Ryker Shea continued his excellent start to the season, bringing home a seventh-place finish.
On Aug. 23, Collinsville made its annual trek to the Westview Golf Course in Quincy for the Quincy Invitational.
CHS took a sixth place finish at the event. Shea was the best golfer for the Kahoks firing a 75 to put him in 11th place overall.
Drew Bailey shot a 77, Casen Compton shot 81 with Henry Stirnaman firing an 84. Luke Berger shot an 86.
The boys team took third place out of 12 teams at the Madison County tournament at Belk Park Golf Course in Wood River on Aug. 21 by firing a 309.
Highland won the team title by five shots over Edwardsville. The Bulldogs fired a 299 as a team for the event.
For the Kahoks on the individual side, Shea took fifth place by firing a 74 with Compton shooting a 77. Bailey came in at 79 with Hunter Thorpe shooting an 85 and Zach Etcheson shooting a 90.
Landon Mayer of Alton fired a 73 to take the individual county title.
